Pathogenic waste treatment

ABSTRACT

Solid waste such as sewage sludge containing fecal matter is processed to reduce pathogens by at least 90% and converted to a useful product such as an amendment to agricultural land by combining the waste with an acid such as concentrated sulfuric and a base such as fly ash which exothermically react and thermally pasteurize the waste and add mineral value to the product. Pozzolanic materials, such as fly ash agglomerate the product and after grinding, the particles can aerate soil. The calcium oxide in fly ash reacts with sulfuric acid to form calcium sulfate dihydrate, a soil amendment. The amount of sulfuric acid can be controlled to provide a product with acid pH which is useful to neutralize alkaline soils such as those found in the Western United States of America.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to treatment of pathogen containing solidwaste such as sewage sludge to reduce the pathogens to a safe level andconvert the sludge to a useful product. More particularly, thisinvention relates to combining sludge or other solid waste with heatgenerating treatment chemicals that pasteurize the waste and convert itto a soil amendment or fertilizer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ever increasing population results in a continuously increasing amountof solid waste. It also places stress on water supplies since potablewater is used to flush much of human solid waste to treatment plants andsometimes directly to bodies of water used for human consumption.Pollution control authorities such as the Environmental ProtectionAgency, require that sewage be treated in several stages before beingreleased into lakes, rivers, or the ocean. In 1985, Public OperatedTreatment Works (POTW) were required to upgrade water treatmentfacilities to include secondary treatment for plants with oceandischarge and tertiary treatment for other plants. The end result ofthese regulations is improved water quality and increased volumes ofsewage sludge. Sewage is now disposed of in land fills, surface sites,incineration or application to land. Land fill and surface sites arerapidly filling. Incineration requires the use of expensive fuel andcontributes to air pollution. A natural use for sewage sludge and othersolid, animal waste products such as residuals of waste water treatment,septages and animal manure would appear to be application to land inagricultural production due to the organic and mineral components of thewaste.

However, feces containing solid waste tends to have a high pathogencontent. If the sludge is not treated to reduce the pathogen content,land receiving application of the waste can not be used for animalgrazing or food crop production for 5 years after the last applicationof solid waste. Furthermore, solid waste may contain heavy metal ionswhich may be hazardous to animals or could accumulate in the soil andrender it unsuitable for agriculture.

Regulations have been promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agencyestablishing criteria and conditions for the reuse of these materials.Use limitation criteria are based on deleterious constituents such asheavy metal and pathogenic organisms. Concurrent with reuse guidelinedevelopment has been the reduction in the number of disposal siteswilling and capable of accepting sludges, septages, manures andresiduals. Similarly, manures are being increasingly scrutinized for theimpact from storage facilities on ground and surface waters. The neteffect of these regulations has been dramatic increase in the cost fortreatment and disposal of sludges, manures and septages.

Several Processes to Significantly Reduce Pathogens (PSRP) have beendeveloped that reduce both pathogen levels and the attractiveness ofsludges to disease vectors. The processes effectively reduce pathogenicviruses and bacteria by about 90%. The PSRP process that have beenrecognized are aerobic digestion, anaerobic digestion, limestabilization, air drying and composting.

Aerobic digestion involves biochemical oxidation of sludge in an open orclosed aerobic tank and can be practiced in a batch or continuous mode.The digestion requires 40 to 60 days residence time at temperatures from15 to 20 degrees Celsius. Anaerobic digestion is conducted in theabsence of air. Even with added heat the process still requires 15 daysto digest the waste.

In air drying the wet sludge is generally applied to sand and/or gravelbeds to a depth of up to about 9 inches. To be considered a PSRP thesludge must be air dried for at least 3 months. Lime stabilizationinvolves adding lime to sludge in a sufficient quantity to produce a pHof 12 after 2 hours. The treatment period is short. However, lime isexpensive and the pathogens can regrow if the pH drops below 11.Composting to meet PSRP conditions requires treatment for at least 5days at 40 degrees Celsius with 4 hours at a temperature of at least 55degrees Celsius.

The PSRP processes can be combined with other processes to furtherreduce the pathogen to a level below the detection limit. Some of thesame processes discussed as PSRP processes can qualify as a PFRP(Process to Further Reduce Pathogens) if operated at high temperature.

Treatment processes demonstrated to be effective in reducing pathogencontent of waste sludges, septage and waste water residuals have beenidentified and defined by the EPA. Regulations (40 CFR parts 257 and503) provide necessary criteria for sludge product treatment and usage.States have the option to either adopt federal standards or justify andadopt other equivalent or more restrictive use limitations.

Methods generally approved as Process to Further Reduce Pathogens(PFRP), the most substantial pathogenic organism reduction option, canbe summarized as thermal treatments from external heat sources such asincinerators and dryers (pressurized or at ambient atmosphericpressures). Heat treatment for pathogenic reductions also includethermophilic decomposition (composting) and thermophilic aerobicdigestion which utilize temperature increases from biologic activity toreduce pathogenic organisms to PFRP standards. Non-thermal processes forPFRP treatments include chemical disinfection and radiation of sludgesolids (electron, gamma ray, ultraviolet).

The reuse of sludge is also limited by concerns other than pathogeniccontent. End product qualities and raw waste constituents (heavy metals)have frequently affected the ability to use the end product in certainenvironments. While not a significant problem in sewage sludges, solublearsenic compounds may be of concern in specialized situations.

All of the approved processes involve the use of substantial amounts ofland or equipment to hold large bodies of waste for long holding periodsor the application of heat from external sources to reduce the holdingtime during treatment.

Other processes for treatment of waste can be utilized if the use provesthat the process results in effective removal of pathogens from thewaste.

STATEMENT OF THE PRIOR ART

Some of the other processes for reducing the pathogen level of solidwaste are disclosed in the patent literature.

Meehan, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,927) chemically disinfects sewagewith an ammonia source and converts it into an impermeable, friable masswith cement and silicate. A strongly alkaline environment kills bacteriaand viruses. No thermal process is involved and the resulting alkalineproduct is not suitable for use as an agricultural amendment to soils inthe western United States which are usually alkaline.

Webster, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,028,130) discloses treatment ofmunicipal sludge by incorporating the sludge in a hardenable compositionincluding lime, fly ash and in some cases alkaline earth metal sulfatesand/or soil or other inert additives. The material cures in air over along period.

Boyko (U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,549) combines sludge with carbonizedcellulose and coal ash to produce a grainy product that is sterilized bychlorination.

Bolsing (U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,486) produces a product containing calciumsulfate useful as a fuel or cement clinker by combining used hydrocarbonoils with waste sulfuric acid and powdered limestone or fly ash to forma solid mass. Disinfection is not an issue.

King (U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,809) stabilizes hazardous industrial organicsludges by combining the sludge with Portland cement, fly ash, calciumsulfate and lime to form a product with soil-like consistency. Againdisinfection is not discussed.

Pichat (U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,290) treats very acidic or basic liquidwastes by first dispersing clay in the waste at a temperature between 0and 150 degrees Celsius followed by adding lime and then a hydratablebinder.

There are several patents which utilize sterilization and disinfectionof sewage sludge with lime or other calcium oxide sources.

Wurtz dewaters sludge to form a cake and reacts the cake with calciumoxide in a high intensity reactor to produce a stabilized sludge pellet.The addition of lime results in an exothermic reaction raising thetemperature to 170 degrees Fahrenheit to 210 degrees Fahrenheit. Thepellet is burned to produce heat and the calcium oxide is separated fromthe ash and recycled. The process requires a special reactor forintimate mixing of the dewatered sludge and lime. Lime is an expensivereagent and the resultant product is alkaline.

Nicholson, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,002) convert sewage sludge into auseful fertilizer by treating the sludge with lime and cement kiln dust.The alkalinity of the mixture and the exothermic heat developed byhydration of the lime reduce the level of pathogens and may meet PFRPcriteria. Again the resulting product is alkaline and is not useful withalkaline soils. The process requires the use of lime and/or kiln dusthaving high calcium content in order to generate the necessary pH andtemperature for disinfection. High lime content kiln dusts are expensiveand are in limited supply.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a process for disinfection of sludge andother feces contaminated solid wastes that is based on the use ofreadily available and inexpensive materials. The process of theinvention effectively eliminates at least 90% of pathogenic organisms.The resulting product is safe for application to land for grazing andcrop production. The process of the invention reduces to the point ofelimination the presence of viable ascarid eggs, ova and cysts in thefinished product. The process can be readily controlled to produceproducts useful on any type of soil. The process is also extremelyflexible. The proper selection of reactants can result in formation ofsoil amendments, fertilizers and agricultural minerals. The end productscan also be useful in road construction or as industrial chemicals.

The process of the invention utilizes simple equipment for a shortholding time to pasteurize the solid waste. The use of inexpensivestarting materials and the generation of saleable end products providesa substantial economic benefit to waste generators and to wasteconverters to process the waste.

The process of the invention can also be readily modified by selectionof reagents and additives to eliminate or reduce to safe levels solubleheavy metal ions which otherwise may limit use of the end product orreduce its selling price.

The solid waste treatment process of the invention is capable ofhandling a large volume of sewage sludge, septages, residuals or manuresin a cost effective manner. The process can be readily practiced at awaste treatment plant or in a separate facility operated by a thirdparty.

The solid waste disinfection process of the invention operates bytreating the sludge with an acid-base pair that exothermically react togenerate a temperature for a time sufficient to reduce the pathogens inthe waste by at least about 90%. The acid-base pair may also generate aby-product that chemically disinfects the waste. Preferably the processkills, inactivates or destroys substantially all pathogenic organismscontained in the waste.

The acid and/or base utilized in the process affects the properties andvalue of the end product. For example, the use of nitrogen orphosphorous containing acid-base pairs adds fertilizer value. Theformation of calcium sulfate from the acid-base pair provides a soilamendment. The adjustment of pH by selection of a suitable strong acidprovides a product useful to reduce alkalinity of alkaline soils. Theacid-base pair can be selected to generate a daughter compound that actsas a chemical disinfectant such as sulfur dioxide, ammonia, chlorine orbromine. The acid-base pairs can also generate species that bind orreduce the solubility of certain heavy metals. Preferred acid base pairsare Lewis acids and Lewis bases.

End properties of the produce such as volume and physical handling orphysical properties can deleteriously affect use of the product incertain applications and therefore reduce its value. The properties canalso effect handling, transportation costs and costs associated with theend use application.

The acid-base pair can be selected to provide a product havingsludge-like properties or further dried to a soil-like material. Theacid-base pair can also be selected to provide agglomeration of theproduct into a friable mass useful to aid in soil aeration by selectionof a pozzolanic source of base or other binder-type reagent. Bound formsof calcium oxide in fly ash appear to provide slow release of calciumwhich contributes to the necessary holding time at temperature topasteurize the solid waste.

These and many other features and attendant advantages of the inventionwill become apparent as the invention becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a simplified system for disinfectingsewage sludge and converting it to an agricultural product in accordancewith the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a batch system for disinfecting solidwaste in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a semi-continuous system for thermalpasteurizing of solid waste according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a series of curves showing the temperature history of water,sulfuric acid-fly ash and sulfuric acid-fly ash and sewage sludgemixture; and

FIG. 5 is a chemical reaction sequence showing use of the aceticacid-lime base pair to treat solid waste.

CITED REFERENCE

1. Kirk-Othmer, "Concise Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, John Wiley& Sons, 1985.

2. M. J. Pelczar and R. D. Reid, "Microbiology" 3rd Ed., McGraw-Hill,1975.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The solid waste (SW) treatment process of the invention can berepresented by the following reaction:

    A+B+SW+P→AB+RP≦0.1 P

The reaction of an acid (A) and base (B) in presence of solid wastecontaining pathogens (P) results in formation of a salt (AB) and areaction product (RP) containing no more than 10% of the pathogens (P)present in the waste.

Solid waste containing fecal matter can be municipal sewage sludge,waste treatment residual, septage or manure. The solids content of thewaste can be from 3 to 85% by weight, usually 10-30% by weight. Thesolid waste suspension is usually present in an amount from 10to 40%.The amount of acid and base depends on the strength of the acid and baseand the exothermic heat of reaction developed by the acid-base pair andany other exothermic heat developed such as on hydration of the acid orbase. Generally the acid is present in an amount from 5-25% by weightand the base in an amount from 10-40% by weight. The acid-base should bepresent in amounts within ±5 to 10% of neutralization. An excess of acidis required for agricultural amendment to alkaline soils.

The preferred acids are strong mineral acids, although organic acid suchas acetic acid may be utilized. Acids introducing hazardous materialssuch as arsenic containing acids or hydrofluoric acid should be avoided.A table illustrating representative acids follows.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 Sulfuric Acid (conc. and/or dilute)                          H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 + SO.sub.3 Oleum (>100% by weight, fuming H.sub.2            SO.sub.4)                                                                     SO.sub.3 Sulfur Trioxide (Sulfuric Anhydride)                                 H.sub.n +.sub.2 P.sub.n O.sub.3n+1 Phosphoric Acids (Conc. and/or             dilute)                                                                       n = 1 Mono-(ortho) - Phosphoric Acid                                           = 2 di-(pyro) - Phosphoric Acid                                               = 3 tri (tripoly) - Phosphoric Acid                                           = 4 Tetra - Phosphoric Acid                                                   = n Polyphosphoric Acid (1) p. 870                                           H.sub.2 SO.sub.3 Sulfurous Acid (conc. and/or dilute)                         SO.sub.2 Sulfur Dioxide                                                       NHO.sub.3 Nitric Acid (conc. and/or dilute)                                   CH.sub.3 CO.sub.2 H Acetic Acid (Glacial, 99.8% and/or dilute)                HCl Hydrochloric Acid (conc. and/or dilute)                                   ______________________________________                                    

Strong inorganic bases are also preferred though weaker bases can beutilized. Representative bases are listed in the following table:

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        NaOH              Sodium Hydroxide                                            KOH               Potassium Hydroxide                                         Ca(OH)hd 2        Calcium Hydroxide                                           Mg(OH).sub.2      Magnesium Hydroxide                                         CaO               Calcium Oxide                                               MgO               Magnesium Oxide                                             NH.sub.3          Ammonia                                                     NH.sub.4 OH       Ammonium Hydroxide                                          ______________________________________                                    

Other minerals and/or by-products that contain these bases, E. G., Flyash, cement kiln dust, Arco "Gyp" (calcium sulfite), etc. can also beutilized.

Representative Acid-Base pair reactions follow:

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        ACID (A)  BASE (B)  PRODUCTS (AB)                                             ______________________________________                                        H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                        NaOH      NaHSO.sub.4, Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4, H.sub.2 O                 H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                        KOH       KHSO.sub.4, K.sub.2 SO.sub.4, H.sub.2 O                   H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                        Ca(OH).sub.2                                                                            Ca(HSO.sub.4).sub.2, CaSO.sub.4.xH.sub.2 O, H.sub.2                           O                                                         H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                        Mg(OH).sub.2                                                                            Mg(HSO.sub.4).sub.2, MgSO.sub.4.xH.sub.2 O, H.sub.2                           O                                                         H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                        CaO       Ca(HSO.sub.4).sub.2, CaSO.sub.4.xH.sub.2 O, H.sub.2                           O                                                         H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                        MgO       Mg(HSO.sub.4).sub.2, MgSO.sub.4.xH.sub.2 O, H.sub.2                           O                                                         H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                        NH.sub.3  NH.sub.4 HSO.sub.4, (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4             H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                        NH.sub.4 OH                                                                             NH.sub.4 HSO.sub.4, (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4,                                H.sub.2 O                                                 SO.sub.3            same sulfite reaction products                                                as H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                       ______________________________________                                    

Other mineral or salts that can be added to the reacting mixture orsubstituted for all or a part of the base or acid are listed below:

TABLE 4

Apatite--A natural calcium phosphate (usually containing fluorine) e.g.,Ca₁₀ F₂ (PO₄)₆, Dolomite, CaSO₃, K₂ SO₃, Na₂ SO₃, NH₄ HSO₄ , (NH₄)₂ SO₄,KHSO₄ , K₂ SO₄ , K₂ PO₄ , K₂ HPO₄ , K₃ PO₄ , NH₄ H₂ PO₄ worlds leadingphosphate fertilizer, (NH₄)₃ PO₄ worlds leading phosphate fertilizer,(NH₄)₃ PO₄, KCl, NH₄ Cl, CaCl₂, KNO₃, NH₄ NO₃, Ca(NO₃)₂, S, Urea, NaNO₃.

These salts or minerals may contribute to the exothermic reaction andwhen they are present in amounts which raise the total nitrogen orphosphorous content at least 5% by weight, the product can be marketedas a fertilizer. Dolomite adds magnesium values to the end product.

The reaction of apatite with concentrated sulfuric acid follows ##STR1##

The phosphoric acid reaction product is a fertilizer and calcium sulfatedihydrate, gypsum, is a soil amendment. The phosphate ion may bind andprecipitate heavy metals such as cadmium and arsenic. Since the reactioncan liberate hydrogen fluoride (HF) it should be monitored. Since theamount of fluorine in apatite ore can vary, the ore should be assayedbefore use in the treatment of solid waste.

Solid wastes containing water soluble arsenic compounds may be treatedwith sulfuric acid and calcium hydroxide in the presence of sulfate andferrous and/or ferric ions to form water-insoluble arsenic salts asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,243. Lead and cadmium wastes areremoved from incinerator ash by use of phosphoric acid and lime asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,356. U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,872 disclosesreducing solubility and mobility of certain heavy metals in sludge. Thedisclosures of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.

The process of the invention also contemplates the presence of gaseousspecies which contribute to disinfection. Gases such as oxygen, ozone,steam ammonia, sulfur dioxide or chlorine can be bubbled through thesuspension. Gaseous species such as ammonia or sulfur dioxide can begenerated as a result of reaction of the acid-base pair with each otheror with components of the sludge or other solid waste. SO₂ can begenerated as a chemical disinfectant by the thermal decomposition ofsalts such as sodium meta-bisulfite which can be present in amounts from0.1 to 5% by weight or more.

The generation of gaseous, dissolved or solid compounds that enhancepathogen reduction may permit the use of lower temperatures and/orshorter treatment intervals. It is believed that petroleum coke and flyash with high calcium sulfite content from desulferization process whenreacted with sulfuric acid will produce significant evolution of sulfurdioxide which can achieve disinfection of sewage sludge and may notrequire as high a temperature as thermal pasteurization to achievedisinfection. The use of low acid pH is believed to cause chemicaldisinfection just as higher pH does as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,793,927.

The characteristics of the end product can be modified by including 1 to30 percent by weight of an agglomerating agent. A preferred agent is apozzolanic material which causes aggregation of particles as it cures.Pozzolanic materials generally include aluminosilicate structures whichcan bind together especially in the presence of lime, calcium sulfate orother basic substances. Certain materials such as fly ash, cementklinker and kiln dust have pozzolanic activity and contain sufficientbase such as calcium oxide and/or calcium hydroxide that which reactedwith an acid, generate exothermic heat sufficient to pasteurize sewagesludge.

Fly ash utilized in the invention demonstrates slow release of base.This contributes to maintaining the suspension at minimum temperaturefor at least 30 minutes. The fly ash need only contain a moderate amountof calcium oxide, generally from 10-25% by weight of free CaO and 30-60%total CaO. This is in contrast to the N-Viro process disclosed in theNicholson patent which requires a very high content (at least about 50%free lime) in the kiln dust or the addition of free lime in order togenerate the pH and temperature necessary for chemical disinfection.

The fly ash is preferably unquenched since quenching would hydrate themetal oxides and decrease the exothermic heat contributed by hydratingthe salts. Part of the fly ash can be substituted with up to 50% byweight of other calcium sources or other materials with pozzolanicactivity such as kiln dust or cement clinker dust. Unquenched F-type flyash (UQFA) having a high pH of from 11-13 is preferred for use on thisinvention. Another measure of base content is the AT generated onreaction of 60 g of fly ash or other base with 100 ml of H₂ O. The flyash utilized in the process of the invention preferably has a AT inwater of at least 50 degrees Celsius. The chemical analysis of a UQFAfly ash follows:

                  TABLE 5                                                         ______________________________________                                        Constituents      WT. % As Received                                           ______________________________________                                        Calcium Oxide as CaO (free)                                                                     16                                                          Aluminum as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                    4.8                                                         Iron as Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                        4.2                                                         Magnesium as MgO  2.5                                                         Acid Insoluble (silica)                                                                         36                                                          Total Alkalinity as CO.sub.2                                                                    34                                                          Calcium as CaO    35                                                          Potassium as K.sub.2 O                                                                          0.30                                                        Total Sulfate as SO.sub.4                                                                       10.3                                                        Gypsum as CaSO.sub.4.2H.sub.2 O                                                                 18.04                                                       Moisture          None Detected                                               ______________________________________                                    

The following examples of disinfection of solid waste were conducted.The examples were all monitored to determine whether they met EPAcriteria for a PFRP pasteurization--a minimum of 70 degrees Celsius (158degrees Fahrenheit) for a minimum of thirty minutes. Sewage sludges areappropriately stored to prevent odor generation and regrowth ofpathogenic organisms.

The process of the invention can be practiced in several different ways.In the simplest form as shown in FIG. 1, dewatered sewage sludge 10 ismixed with an acid 12 and a base 14 in an insulated mixer 16. Themixture 17 is conveyed by a conveyer 18 into the body 20 of a truck 22.The mixture 17 is maintained in the truck body 20 for a minimum of timeat a temperature sufficient to pasteurize the mixture. Thepasteurization reaction may proceed while the truck 22 travels on ahighway 24 to a field 26. The pasteurized product 27 can be loaded intothe hopper 25 of a spreader 28 which spreads the mixture onto the fieldcontaining crops 29. The pasteurized product 27 need not be spreadimmediately. The product 27 can be stored in a bin or out in the openuntil needed.

The process operates autogenously. The heat needed is developed by theexothermic reactions occurring on mixing the acid and base with thesludge. Pressure is not required. However, pressure may be beneficialand can also be autogenously developed by placing the reaction mixturein a closed reaction vessel 40 as shown in FIG. 2. A batch processproceeds by feeding sludge 42 from tank 44, acid 46 from storage tank 48and base 50 from storage hopper 52. The reaction vessel 40 can beequipped with a stirrer 54. The vessel may contain an insulation jacket56 or a heating jacket, not shown, if it is necessary to add heat toraise the temperature or shorten the holding time. An insulated lid 57may contain a temperature sensor 58, and a pressure release valve 60.Off gases such as SO₂, H₂ S or NH₃ can be vented to an absorber orscrubber 62. The finished product can be removed through outlet 64 whenvalve 66 is open.

A semi-continuous system is illustrated in FIG. 3. Acid 100 such asconcentrated sulfuric acid from storage tank 102 and sewage sludge 104from hopper 106 are fed into insulated mixer 108 containing a mixingblade 110 is connected to a shaft 113 and is driven by a motor 211. Thesludge-acid 111 mixture feeds through outlet 210 into a mixer such as aninsulated pug mill 112. Granular base 114 such as fly ash is fed fromhopper 115 into the forward end 116 of pug mill 112. The pug mill 112contains paddles 117 mounted on a shaft 119 driven by a motor 121. Thepaddles 117 push the material forward as they cut through the fly ash,acid, sewage sludge mixture. The mixture is intimately mixed in the pugmill and exothermic reaction begins. The hot mixture proceeds throughthe outlet 129 and into the inlet 122 of a well insulated rotary oven118. The rotary oven 118 can contain a spiral thread 123 that moves themixture forward as the oven 118 rotates. The rotary oven 118 has a longresidence time, at least sufficient enough to allow the mixture to reactand sterilize at least 90% of the pathogens in the sludge. Preferablyall the pathogens in the sludge are killed. Gases evolved in the ovencan be recycled through line 120 to the inlet 122 to the rotary oven.Some of the gases can be withdrawn through the outlet 124 by means of apump 126 and are absorbed in the liquid in gas absorber 128.

In the case of sulfuric acid, the H₂ S and SO₂ are absorbed into anorganic amine or a caustic such as potassium hydroxide. The absorptionscrubber reactions for KOH are as follows: ##STR2##

The spent liquid in the absorber 128 can be recycled to the mixer 108through outlet 134 in order to incorporate the potassium salt in themixture. The disinfected mixture exits the rotary oven through an outlet133 which connects to inlet 135 to an insulated holding vessel 137. Thereaction product 139 can be recovered through outlet valve 150 as neededand subdivided in mill 152 to form a granular product 154.

The granular product is conveyed by trough conveyer 156 to the baggingstation 158 where it is packaged in bags 160.

The rotary oven can be replaced with an insulated extruder. The extrudercan have a resin fiberglass barrel which will provide heat insulationand self lubrication for the slurred mixture. A suitable conveyor is a24 inch diameter HETRON 980 resin fiberglass conveyor that can move 1920pounds/min at 15 rpm.

EXAMPLE 1

Sewage sludge (SS, 250 gm, 20% solids) is placed in a Nalgene reactionchamber followed by sulfuric acid (93%, d 1.8279, 35 mL, 64 gm) and thecontents are rapidly mixed. Then fly ash (75 gm, 25% CaO) is addedportionwise (about three equal amounts), each time mixing rapidly untila homogenous slurry is obtained (about 30 seconds). The chamber is thensealed off by the application of a styrofoam lid equipped with athermometer. When the thermometer reaches 82 degrees Celsius (180degrees Fahrenheit) a stopwatch is activated followed by the recordingof temperature as a function of time (minutes). The amount of time thatthe temperature exceeded 82 degrees Celsius (180 degrees Fahrenheit) wasninety (90) minutes. This is well in excess of the 30 minutes at 70° C.required by the EPA for pasteurization. The product was grey andfriable. It had a slight odor of manure after drying at 45 degreesCelsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) after grinding. The finished productwas granular in texture.

The dried product was analyzed for sodium and calcium by ICP. The gypsum(CaSO₄.2H₂ O) content was calculated at 36-64%. Sodium concentration wasfound to be 2,618 mg/Kg.

The presence of other metals and metalloids in the dried product wasdetermined to be as follows:

                  TABLE 6                                                         ______________________________________                                                                      Regulatory                                                                    Criteria                                                   SAMPLE             STLC    TTLC                                    CONSTITUENT                                                                              RESULTS   UNITS    mg/L    mg/kg                                   ______________________________________                                        Antimony    BDL*     mg/kg    15.     500.                                    Arsenic    BDL       mg/kg    5.0     500.                                    Barium     BDL       mg/kg    100.    10,000.                                 Beryllium  BDL       mg/kg    0.75    75.                                     Cadmium    11.5      mg/kg    1.0     100.                                    Chromium   46.9      mg/kg    5.0     500.                                    Cobalt     BDL       mg/kg    80.     8,000.                                  Copper     192.1     mg/kg    25.     2,500.                                  Lead       149.7     mg/kg    5.0     1,000.                                  Molybdenum BDL       mg/kg    350.    3,500.                                  Nickel     34.9      mg/kg    20.     2,000.                                  Selenium   BDL       mg/kg    1.0     100.                                    Silver     16.7      mg/kg    5.0     500.                                    Thallium   BDL       mg/kg    7.0     700.                                    Vanadium   87.3      mg/kg    24.     2,400.                                  Zinc       249.5     mg/kg    250.    5,000.                                  ______________________________________                                         *BDL = Below Detection Limits                                            

The internal temperature of the contents as a function of time weredetermined. The composition of the mixture is as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                SEWAGE                                                                        SLUDGE    H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 (1937)                                                                  FLY ASH WATER                                    SAMPLE  gm        gm         gm      gm                                       ______________________________________                                        D       0         64         75      200                                      E       250       64         75       0                                       F       0          0          0      250                                      ______________________________________                                    

The temperature curves are shown in FIG. 4. A second derivative plot,not shown, was utilized to determine the inflection change.

The water curve, F, demonstrates classical Newtonian cooling. The curveis concave up in form. Both curves four the D and E curves containingfly ash-acid mixtures are concave down at the top, then proceed throughan extended inflection transition range and then to a concave up region.The D and E curves are non-Newtonian. The concave down region shows heatevolution for 1 hour 18 minutes demonstrating the encapsulation of thecalcium oxide and calcium hydroxide bases in fly ash and the slowrelease. Newtonian cooling does not start until after the inflectiontransition range--the portion of the curves which are concave up inshape.

Example 1 can be repeated substituting 65% by weight of dewateredseptage or cow manure (20% solids) for the sewage sludge. The exothermicreaction between sulfuric acid and the fly ash would proceed to atemperature for a time sufficient to pasteurize the septage or manureand form an agglomerated product. A granular product is formed afterdrying and grinding. Concentrated phosphoric acid and limeexothermically react with sewage sludge to form pasteurized sludge andcalcium phosphate. The calcium phosphate can bind ions such as lead,arsenic or cadmium. The acid-base pair glacial acetic acid and hydratedlime exothermically react in the presence of sewage sludge to pasteurizethe sludge and form calcium acetate. Limestone generated in situ by thethermal decomposition of calcium acetate as in a furnace chamber, reactswith SO₂ such as from stack gases to form calcium sulfite and calciumsulfate according to the reaction shown in FIG. 5.

EXAMPLE 2

Example 1 was repeated in a more insulated reaction chamber. The time at82 degrees Celsius (180 degrees Fahrenheit) was increased from 91minutes to 106 minutes.

EXAMPLE 3

350 grams of sewage sludge (20% by weight) solids and 95 grams of UQFAwere combined with 93% sulfuric acid and equivalent amounts ofconcentrated phosphoric and glacial acetic acid in the followingproportions.

                  TABLE 7                                                         ______________________________________                                                 93% H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                      H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                       H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 or HOAC                        Samples  Grams       Mole %   Mole %                                          ______________________________________                                        5,10     8           12.5     87.5                                            6,11     16          25.0     75                                              7,12     32          50.0     50                                              8,13     48          75.0     25                                              9,14     59.6        90       10                                              ______________________________________                                    

HCl could not be combined with sulfuric acid since it is insoluble inconcentrated sulfuric acid. The temperature histories of theseexperiments follow:

                                      TABLE 8                                     __________________________________________________________________________               Glacial                  Minutes                                   H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                     H.sub.3 PO.sub.4                                                                  Acetic                                                                              HCL  Sewage    Max.                                                                              at Temp.                                  93%    85% Acid  34-37%                                                                             Sludge                                                                             Fly Ash                                                                            Temp.                                                                             above                                     #gm    #gm 99% #gm                                                                             #gm  #gm  #gm  °C.                                                                        82° C.                             __________________________________________________________________________    1  64.0               350  95   99.5                                                                              80                                        2      70.04          350  95   59.8                                                                              0                                         3          73.03      350  95   72.9                                                                              0                                         4                120.72                                                                             350  95   67.2                                                                              0                                         5  8   61             350  95   60.1                                                                              0                                         6  16  53             350  95   63.9                                                                              0                                         7  32  35             350  95   71.8                                                                              0                                         8  48  17.5           350  95   80.8                                                                              0                                         9  57.6                                                                              7              350  95   92.0                                                                              51                                        10 8       64         350  95   74.1                                                                              0                                         11 16      55         350  95   72.5                                                                              0                                         12 32      37         350  95   79.0                                                                              0                                         13 48      18.3       350  95   83.2                                                                              21                                        14 57.6    7.3        350  95   96.5                                                                              68                                        __________________________________________________________________________

Phosphoric acid-fly ash base pair did not achieve a temperature of 70degrees Celsius. When about one-half of sulfuric acid is replaced withan equivalent amount of phosphoric acid, temperatures above 70 degreesCelsius are achieved. Glacial acetic in mixture from 0 to 100% withsulfuric acid achieves a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius and inmixture with sulfuric acid containing no more than about 25% equivalentamount of acetic acid achieves a temperature over 80 degrees Celsius.

EXAMPLE 4

Sewage sludge (300 gm) was placed in an insulated reaction vessel.Sulfuric acid (93%, 64.85 gm) was added, followed by the addition ofARCO "Gypsum" (75 gm, delta T=0.8 C, pH=12.9) to the vessel and mixedthoroughly. The maximum temperature attained was 70.8 C along with theliberation of much SO₂. When the same procedure is carried outsubstituting unquenched fly ash for ARCO "Gypsum" the maximumtemperature is about 95 degrees Celsius. ARCO "Gypsum" was also analyzedfor calcium (via ICP) and sulfate (gravimetrically) and the percentcalcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) was calculated as 53.00 and 2.49%,respectively. The large difference in percent gypsum calculated from thetwo different techniques reveals that the material must contain mostlycalcium sulfite rather than calcium sulfate. Calcium sulfite or othermetal sulfite could be utilized as an additive to an exothermicformulation to provide chemical disinfection by the SO₂ produced byacidification of the sulfite.

EXAMPLE 5

Four experiments were run to determine the effect of sodiummeta-bisulfite (Na₂ S₂ O₅) on sterilization of sewage sludge. Thecomponents were placed inside an insulated reaction vessel in thefollowing order: fly ash, sodium metabisulfite, sewage sludge and lastsulfuric acid. The mixture was then rapidly and thoroughly stirred, thechamber sealed and the temperature recorded as a function of time. After5 hours the vessels were opened and the contents were transferred toWhirl-Pak bags and sealed (double bagged). The bags were placed ininsulated mugs and quickly transported to an offsite location where aninsulated container (equipped with Blue Ice) had been frozen for 24hours. The bags were transferred to the insulated container, sealed andtransported to a lab for pathogen analysis. The composition and thermalresponse of the four samples is summarized in the following table:

                  TABLE 9                                                         ______________________________________                                                                                Min. at                                                                       temp.                                        Sewage   H.sub.2 SO.sub.4        above                                 Sample Sludge   (93%)    Fly Ash                                                                              Na.sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.5                                                              82° C.                         ______________________________________                                        A      250 gm                           Room                                                                          temp.                                 B      250 gm   35 mL                   Peak at                                                                       55° C.                         C      250 gm   35 mL    75 gm          1 hr.,                                                                        32 min.                               D      250 gm   35 mL    75 gm  1 gm    1 hr.,                                                                        36 min .                              ______________________________________                                    

Sulfuric acid alone, only raised the temperature to 55 degrees Celsius.Sulfuric acid and fly ash raised the temperature to above 82 degreesCelsius for 92 minutes. The addition of sodium meta-bisulfite raised thetemperature to above 82 degrees Celsius for 96 minutes, an insignificantdifference. However, substantial evolution of SO₂ was noted.

Pathogen analysis was initially conducted by inoculating a set of 15tubes and allowing them to incubate. Sample B showed 5 positive tubesout of 15, Sample C showed 1 positive tube while Sample D showed nopositive tubes. Temperature is apparently crucial to the process sinceSample B only reached 55 degrees Celsius while Samples C and D reached101.6 degrees Celsius and 101.8 degrees Celsius, respectively andremained above 82 degrees Celsius for over 90 minutes. The improvementof D appears to be due to the evolution of SO₂ from the sodiummeta-bisulfite. Further data on pathogen testing is presented in thefollowing table.

                                      TABLE 10                                    __________________________________________________________________________    SAMPLE       SAMPLE A     SAMPLE B    SAMPLE C    SAMPLE D                    IDENTIFICATION                                                                             UNTREATED SLUDGE                                                                           TREATED SLUDGE                                                                            TREATED SLUDGE                                                                            TREATED                     __________________________________________________________________________                                                      SLUDGE                      FECAL COLIFORM                                                                             70,000,000   <200        <200        <200                        # PER 100 ML                                                                  LOG MPM VALUE                                                                              7.85         2.3         2.3         2.3                         LOG REDUCTION                                                                              NA           5.5         5.5         5.5                         LOG A/LOG B, C, D                                                             FECAL        9,000,000    <200        <200        <200                        STREPTOCOCCUS                                                                 # PER 100 ML                                                                  LOG MPN VALUE                                                                              6.95         2.3         2.3         2.3                         LOG REDUCTION                                                                              NA           4.7         4.7         4.7                         LOG A/LOG B, C, D                                                             __________________________________________________________________________

Further experiments were conducted to determine the effect of varyingthe amounts of concentrated sulfuric acid, unquenched fly ash and sodiummeta-bisulfite added to dewatered sewage sludge (20% solids). Thecomposition of the initial and final products and the pathogen contentof the products are presented in the following tables:

                  TABLE 11                                                        ______________________________________                                                              93%         UQFA                                        SAM-                  H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                          ΔT = 23° C.                    PLE   SS, gm  WT, %   gm    WT. % gm       WT %                               ______________________________________                                        E      60     100                                                             F     250     98.96   2.64  1.04                                              G     250     97.98   5.15  2.02                                              H     250     95.98   10.48 4.02                                              I     250     91.97   21.84 8.03                                              J     250     83.95   47.81 16.05                                             K     250     79.31   64.21 20.37                                             L     300     68.17   64.02 14.55 75.06    17.06                              M     350     71.42   63.99 13.06 75.02    15.31                              N     350     70.71   64.04 12.94 79.97    16.16                              O     350     70.00   64.03 12.81 84.97    16.99                              P     350     69.28   64.20 12.71 90.06    17.83                              Q     350     68.62   64.01 12.55 95.06    18.64                              R     350     68.75   64.05 12.58 95.01    18.66                              S     400     71.42   63.99 11.43 95.06    16.97                              ______________________________________                                        SAM-  Sodium Meta-       P + SS (Wet)                                                                            P + SS (Dry)                               PLE   Bisulfite gm                                                                             Wt. %   gm        gm                                         ______________________________________                                        E                        312.09    74.31                                      F                        215.80    52.30                                      G                        202.33    52.03                                      H                        209.39    57.90                                      I                        214.07    66.10                                      J                        224.94    87.39                                      K     0.99       0.31    231.92    104.82                                     L     0.99       0.23    358.29    178.82                                     M     1.02       0.21    397.50    190.23                                     N     10.99      0.20    403.99    194.33                                     O     11.00      0.20    414.05    200.29                                     P     0.97       0.19    419.70    204.97                                     Q     0.98       0.19    565.92    358.30                                     R                        579.33    364.49                                     S     0.99       10.18   608.1     367.04                                     ______________________________________                                        SAM-                                                                          PLE   H.sub.2 O, gm                                                                          P gm    pH Dry Wt. % H.sub.2 O                                                                       Wt. % Red                               ______________________________________                                        E     237.78   13.70   6.55   79.69   -79.69                                  F     163.50   13.66   5.97   80.88   -80.88                                  G     150.30   13.75   5.29   79.70   -79.70                                  H     151.49   14.12   3.49   77.58   -77.58                                  I     147.97   14.17   1.03   74.02   -74.02                                  J     139.55   14.27   -0.27  65.29   -65.29                                  K     127.10   13.88   -0.52  58.29   -58.29                                  L     179.47   13.78   2.70   52.09   -52.09                                  M     207.27   13.80   3.18   54.02   -54.02                                  N     209.67   14.18   3.38   53.79   -53.79                                  O     1213.76  14.14   3.99   53.45   -53.45                                  P     214.73   14.05   4.90   52.93   -52.93                                  Q     207.62   167.31  6.50   52.09   -52.09                                  R     214.84   164.32  6.43   51.77   -51.77                                  S     241.11   165.31  6.50   54.44   -54.44                                  ______________________________________                                                 # Fecal Coliform        Fecal Coliform                               SAMPLE   Per 100 ml   Log [ FC]  Log Reduction                                ______________________________________                                        E        220,000,000  8.34                                                    F        130,000,000  8.11       1.03                                         G        ≦1,600,000                                                                          6.2        1.35                                         H        1,700        3.23       2.58                                         I        <200         2.3        3.63                                         J        <200         2.3        3.63                                         K        <200         2.3        3.63                                         L        <20          1.3        6.42                                         M        <20          1.3        6.42                                         N        <20          1.3        6.42                                         O        <20          1.3        6.42                                         P        <20          1.3        6.42                                         Q        <20          1.3        6.42                                         R        <20          1.3        6.42                                         S        <20          1.3        6.42                                         ______________________________________                                                                 Fecal Strep.                                                                           Maximum Temp.                               SAM-  # Fecal Strep.                                                                            Log    Log      C./Time with                                PLE   per 100 ml  [FS]   Reduction                                                                              Temp. >82° C.                        ______________________________________                                        E     3,000,000   6.48            Control                                     F     2,400,000   6.38   1.02     20                                          G     ≧1,600,000                                                                         6.2    1.05     21.5                                        H     30,000      4.48   1.45     24                                          I     50,000      4.70   1.38     26                                          J     <200        2.3    2.82     39                                          K     <200        2.3    2.82     57                                          L     <20         1.3    4.98     1 hr., 21 min.                                                                95.2                                        M     <20         1.3    4.98     1 hr., 3 min.                                                                 91.0                                        N     <20         1.3    4.98     1 hr., 1 min.                                                                 91.0                                        O     <20         1.3    4.98     1 hr., 4 min.                                                                 91.5                                        P     <20         1.3    4.98     1 hr., 4 min.                                                                 95.5                                        Q     <20         1.3    4.98     1 hr., 18 min.                                                                96.6                                        R     <20         1.3    4.98     1 hr., 16 min.                                                                95.5                                        S     <20         1.3    4.98     0 hr., 57 min.                                                                89.5                                        ______________________________________                                    

Again acid alone (E-J) or acid and sodium meta-bisulfite did not achievea minimum temperature of 82 degrees Celsius.

Further samples of sewage sludge were treated with sulfuric acid andmeta-bisulfite or ARCO GYP. The materials were placed an insulatedreaction vessel for 30 minutes at 82 degrees Celsius. Composition of thesamples U, V, W and X follow:

                                      TABLE 12                                    __________________________________________________________________________            93%            Na.sub.2 S.sub.2                                                                     ARCO.sup.a                                      SS,  Wt.                                                                              H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                  Wt.                                                                              UQFA,                                                                              Wt.                                                                              O.sub.5,                                                                          Wt.                                                                              Gyp  Wt.                                                                              MAX.                                    gm   %  gm  %  gm   %  gm  %  gm   %  TEMP                                    __________________________________________________________________________    U 300                                                                              68 64  15 75   17 1   <1         96 C.                                   V 300                                                                              68 64  15 75   17                95.5 C.                                 W 400                                                                              72 64  11 95   17                91 C.                                   X 300                                                                              68 64  15                75   17 67.8 C.                                 __________________________________________________________________________     .sup.a Note that ARCO "GYP" is by in far composed of CASO.sub.3 with very     little CASO.sub.4.                                                       

                  TABLE 13                                                        ______________________________________                                                  U     V         W       X                                           ______________________________________                                        Dry Weight  227.33  235.47    278.05                                                                              203.77                                    Product, g                                                                    pH          2.58    2.50      3.64  1.00                                      ______________________________________                                    

Sample T was untreated. Sample T, U, V, W and X were tested for mostprobable Number (MPN) analysis results follow:

                  TABLE 14                                                        ______________________________________                                        UNTREATED SEWAGE SLUDGE                                                               # Fecal Coliform                                                                           LOG     # Fecal Strep                                                                           LOG                                    SAMPLE  Per 100 gm   [FC]    Per 100 gm                                                                              [FS]                                   ______________________________________                                        T       2300         3.36    140,000   5.                                     ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 15                                                        ______________________________________                                        30 MINUTE TREATED SEWAGE SLUDGE                                                                          #                                                  # Fecal          Fecal     Fecal       Fecal                                  Coliform         Coliform  Strep       Strep                                  Per      LOG     Log       Per   LOG   Log                                    100 gm   [FC]    Reduction 100 gm                                                                              [FS]  Reduction                              ______________________________________                                        U   <200     2.30    1.06    <200  2.30  2.85                                 V   <200     2.30    1.06    <200  2.30  2.85                                 W   <200     2.30    1.06    <200  2.30  2.85                                 X   <200     2.30    1.06    <200  2.30  2.85                                 ______________________________________                                    

Samples U, V, W, and X upon treatment were submitted for Most ProbableNumber (MPN) analysis. Sample T, untreated sewage sludge, had unusuallylow counts relative to previous results. However, the Log Reductions forall samples exceeded two. Note that when ARCO "GYP" was substituted forfly ash the results were identical to all others, even though themaximum temperature was only 67.8 degrees Celsius. Bear in mind, also,that all samples were allowed to remain above 82 degrees Celsius foronly 30 minutes. It is believed that the success of the ARCO "GYP" isdue in large part to the in situ generation of sulfur dioxide.

Experiments were conducted to determine whether thermal disinfectiontemperatures can be achieved by reacting dilute acid with a source oflime such as fly ash.

EXAMPLE 6

Two 50 g samples of Pyro Pacific fly ash having ΔT in 100 ml of water of30.8 degrees Celsius (FA-1) and (FA-2) 16.8 degrees Celsius respectivelywere combined with sulfuric acid having concentrations from 5 to 25%.The pH and penetrometer hardness were determined. Data follows:

                  TABLE 16                                                        ______________________________________                                        % H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                     5         10      15    20      25                                   ______________________________________                                        T Min.   35.6 C.   68.8 C. 68.8 C.                                                                             72.3 C. 81.8 C.                              T Maximum                                                                              38.2 C.   77.0 C. 76.1 C.                                                                             78.1 C. 85.0 C.                              ______________________________________                                        % H.sub.2 SO.sub.4                                                                     5         10      15    20      25                                   ______________________________________                                        T Min.   31.3 C.   55.4 C. 69.6 C.                                                                             72.4 C. 80.0 C.                              T Maximum                                                                              35.0 C.   65.2 C. 75.9 C.                                                                             78.8 C. 85.8 C.                              ______________________________________                                    

The ΔT is a measure of calcium oxide content of the fly ash. A fly ashhaving a AT in water above about 15% by weight can achieve apasteurization temperature of about 55 degrees Celsius with sulfuricacid as dilute as 10%. At 15% sulfuric acid, the suspensions of both flyashes boiled vigorously. The pH of samples measured the next day wereall basic except for the 2-2 sample which contained 25% sulfuric acid.The sulfuric acid concentration must be at least 25% if low pH productsare desired. Penetrometer readings show a dramatic increase in hardnessafter 7 days. The product could be useful as a road base.

EXAMPLE 7

Experiments were also conducted with GWF fly ash. This fly ash (52 g)had a ΔT in 100 ml H₂ O of 77 degrees Celsius at 12 minutes and boiled.All contaminants with 15 to 30% H₂ SO₄ boiled vigorously and thePenetrometer readings were higher. GWF fly ash can be combined withlower ΔT fly ashes to increase the exothermic reaction with water andsulfuric acid.

It is to be realized that only preferred embodiments of the inventionhave been described and that numerous substitutions, modifications andalterations are permissible without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined in the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A method of disinfecting pathogen-containing solid wasteselected from the group consisting of sewage sludge, septage, manure andwater treatment plant residuals comprising the steps of:combining thewaste with a strong acid having a concentration of at least 25% byweight and with a strong base in an insulated reaction vessel to form areaction mixture having a pH below 7; and exothermically reacting theacid with the base in said vessel in the presence of the waste to heatsaid reaction mixture to a temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsiusfor at least 30 minutes and reacting said waste with said acid and saidbase to disinfect at least 90 percent of said pathogens and form areaction product having a pH below 7 comprising the residue of saiddisinfected waste and the salt of said acid and said base.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1 in which the acid is selected from the groupconsisting of sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloricacid, acetic acid or precursors thereof.
 3. A method according to claim2 in which the base is selected from the group consisting of Group Imetal, Group II metal, ammonium hydroxides or oxide precursors thereof.4. A method according to claim 3 in which the base is selected from thegroup consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calciumhydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide orammonium hydroxide.
 5. A method according to claim 4 in which thereaction mixture further contains a binder material.
 6. A methodaccording to claim 5 in which the binder is a pozzolanic material.
 7. Amethod according to claim 6 in which the pozzolanic material containssaid base and is selected from the group consisting of fly ash, kilndust and cement klinker.
 8. A method according to claim 7 in which thepozzolanic material agglomerates the reaction product into a friablemass.
 9. A method according to claim 8 further including the step ofgrinding the friable mass into particles.
 10. A method according toclaim 4 in which the acid or base is encapsulated in a manner to slowlyrelease from the encapsulant.
 11. A method according to claim 10 inwhich the encapsulant is an aluminasilicate material.
 12. A methodaccording to claim 1 in which the reaction mixture further includes achemical disinfectant.
 13. A method according to claim 12 in which thechemical disinfectant is a compound that is generated in situ in thereaction mixture to generate a sterilant gas.
 14. A method according toclaim 13 in which the sterilant gas is sulfur dioxide.
 15. A methodaccording to claim 14 in which the sterilant gas is generated by theacidification of a metal sulfite.
 16. A method according to claim 15 inwhich the acid is sulfuric acid and the base is calcium sulfite.
 17. Amethod according to claim 1 in which the reaction mixtures furtherincludes heavy metal binding agents.
 18. A method according to claim 17in which the metal binding agents are phosphates.
 19. A method accordingto claim 1 in which the reaction mixture contains sufficient nitrogen,potassium, or phosphorous such that the reaction product is useful to beadded to land in pasture or agricultural production.
 20. A methodaccording to claim 1 in which the solid waste has a solids content from3 to 85% by weight.
 21. A method according to claim 20 in which thewaste is present in the reaction mixture in an amount from about 10 toabout 40% by weight.
 22. A method according to claim 21 in which theacid is present in an amount from about 5 to 25% by weight.
 23. A methodaccording to claim 22 in which the base is present in an amount fromabout 10 to about 40% by weight.
 24. A method according to claim 23 inwhich the acid and base are present in an amount within ±5 to 10%neutralization.
 25. A method according to claim 24 in which the acidbase pair has a ΔT of at least 50 degrees Celsius.
 26. A methodaccording to claim 1 in which the solid waste is sewage sludge, the acidis concentrated sulfuric acid and the base is unquenched fly ash.
 27. Amethod according to claim 26 in which the salt contained in the reactionproduct is calcium sulfate.
 28. A method according to claim 1 in whichthe solid waste and acid are combined before adding the base.
 29. Amethod according to claim 1 in which the pH of the reaction product isfrom about 1.0 to about 6.5.